“Is It True? Is It Necessary? Is It Kind?”

by Mary Ann Pietzker

This is one of my favorite poems. It is rarely published on the internet. When I want to read it, I have to dig a bit deeper. That's why I stored it here. This poem helps me when I feel the urge to speak out loud about what shouldn’t be said.

Oh! Stay, dear child, one moment stay,

Before a word you speak,

That can do harm in any way

To the poor, or to the weak;

And never say of any one

What you’d not have said of you,

Ere you ask yourself the question,

“Is the accusation true?”

And if ’tis true, for I suppose

You would not tell a lie;

Before the failings you expose

Of friend or enemy:

Yet even then be careful, very;

Pause and your words well weigh,

And ask it it be necessary,

What you’re about to say.

And should it necessary be,

At least you deem it so,

Yet speak not unadvisedly